Best Anime on Netflix Right Now (2026 Updated List)
Netflix has 250+ anime titles in 2026. These 12 are worth your time based on MAL scores, completion rates, and genre range. Updated June 2026.
Netflix has invested over USD 2.5 billion in anime content between 2019 and 2025, according to company earnings reports. Its catalog grew from 30 titles in 2017 to over 250 in 2026, including 40+ Netflix Original productions. But catalog size does not equal quality. This list filters to 12 titles with MAL scores above 7.5 and completion rates above 70% based on aggregated user data.
Netflix Originals Worth Watching
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners (2022) is the strongest Netflix Original anime to date. Produced by Studio Trigger in collaboration with CD Projekt Red, it holds an 8.6/10 on MAL from 640,000+ ratings and won the Crunchyroll Anime Award for Best Film or Movie in 2023. It runs 10 episodes at 24 minutes each โ under 4 hours total.
- Cyberpunk: Edgerunners (2022) โ 8.6/10 MAL, 10 episodes, sci-fi action
- Castlevania (2017-2021) โ 8.3/10 MAL, 32 episodes, dark fantasy
- Beastars Season 1-2 (2019-2021) โ 7.7/10 MAL, Netflix exclusive outside Japan
- Kotaro Lives Alone (2022) โ 7.9/10 MAL, 10 episodes, comedy-drama
- Blue Period (2021) โ 7.9/10 MAL, 12 episodes, art school drama
Licensed Catalog Highlights
Beyond originals, Netflix holds regional licenses for several top-ranked series. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (9.1/10 MAL) is available on Netflix in most markets as of 2025. Hunter x Hunter (2011) (9.0/10 MAL, 148 episodes) is available in North America. Neon Genesis Evangelion (8.5/10 MAL) is Netflix exclusive for streaming globally after a 2019 deal.
Availability varies significantly by region. Netflix Japan, Netflix US, and Netflix Southeast Asia each have different anime catalogs due to regional licensing agreements. Using a VPN to access different regional catalogs violates Netflix terms of service and is not recommended for account safety.
Short Series Under 13 Episodes
For viewers with limited time, Netflix offers several complete series under 13 episodes. Devilman Crybaby (10 episodes, 7.8/10 MAL) is a mature reimagining of Go Nagai original work from 1972. Great Pretender (23 episodes total, 8.0/10 MAL) runs as two seasons on Netflix with a complete story. Both are Netflix Original productions with no continuation needed after completion.
Netflix anime catalog note: Netflix removes titles periodically as licensing agreements expire. Series confirmed available in June 2026 include Evangelion, FMA: Brotherhood, Cyberpunk Edgerunners, and Castlevania. Check your regional Netflix for current availability before investing time in a multi-episode series.
What Netflix Does Not Have
Crunchyroll holds exclusive streaming rights to most currently airing anime, including Demon Slayer, One Piece, Jujutsu Kaisen, and Dragon Ball Super. If you are looking for simulcast access to new seasonal anime, Netflix is not the primary platform. Netflix anime strength is in complete series and originals, not seasonal new releases.
- Demon Slayer: Crunchyroll exclusive for new episodes
- One Piece: Crunchyroll and Funimation
- Jujutsu Kaisen: Crunchyroll exclusive simulcast
- Dragon Ball Super: Crunchyroll and Funimation
- Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War: Hulu and Disney+ in North America
Conclusion
Netflix is a strong platform for complete anime series, originals, and classic catalog titles. Start with Cyberpunk: Edgerunners if you want the best Netflix-exclusive anime experience available in 2026. For access to currently airing seasonal anime, a Crunchyroll subscription remains necessary alongside Netflix.